Readers’ career question to Sparrow’s Nest: I am currently working in a smaller agency and recently have been struggling with work pressure and my mental health. I haven’t told anybody about this and am unsure of my immediate boss’s reaction? We are currently understaffed, and I don’t want to let anybody down, plus work has been the stable thing in my life that up until recently provided some grounding. What’s the best way to approach this with the agency I like working for as I don’t want to affect my long-term career prospects?
This is another complex reader question and I’m not sure I have the qualifications and the answer. You must seek help from a medical professional immediately and put yourself first.
Your well-being and positive mental health need to be your number one priority. A little more background and context on the work pressures would help me understand your situation better… You don’t sound confident that your immediate boss will have empathy and provide the support you need.
I would be very open and honest with your HR/People and culture person first and then ask them to cover with your manager. They hopefully can recommend and suggest the best course of action, various companies have different support options as part of their well-being programs, and please don’t be embarrassed or hesitant to get the help you need now.
In the past I’ve talked about the agency world and the vital need to walk the talk, this is a real-life situation, so many agencies are sprouting their health and well-being policies now it must be actionable. In a personal situation like this, we do need proof that agencies put their people first, and manage talent shortages so nobody is disadvantaged or pushed to breaking point.
It’s a shame you don’t have confidence in your boss that they would be understanding and demonstrate empathy. Great leaders are vulnerable and it’s moments like this that they should step up and provide the understanding and empathy that’s required. I don’t know how long you have worked for the agency however is there anybody else that could provide a safe environment for you to have an honest conversation about how you are feeling?
Explore what options are available within the workplace and the best way to support you, the team around you plus the client. You don’t want to jeopardise your long-term career … however I would assess how your company handles this and the way you are treated. I wouldn’t want to work for a company that didn’t put my mental health issues ahead of their business targets.
I remember an instance where one of my co-workers was a brilliant data scientist with an outstanding skillset however, they were on the spectrum and challenging to manage in a regular office scenario. The company promoted that they had all the HR policies that supposedly encourage a diverse workforce but when it came to it the team leader and the agency weren’t ready or equipped to accommodate this very talented individual.
One in five people will struggle with mental health, it’s now an important issue in our industry and on people’s radar. The crucial thing is to take action and in a situation like this, show empathy and then move heaven and earth to get immediate help and support for our most important resource, our people.
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